Page 64 of The Firefighter's Fate

I laugh at my arms full of plush toys.

“Not two of them,” I say to the tall firefighter. “Soon I’ll have a whole zoo.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do with them,” he replies, blushing from all the attention he’s receiving from the other women in the bleachers. He’s a shy boy. I didn’t realize.

“Come on, Connor,” I whisper, nudging him. “Smile at your admirers.”

He shakes his head, and his cheeks burn brighter.

“Ugh. I feel like I shouldn’t have won. Those other guys were good...”

“And you were better,” I reply. “Give me a smile. Be proud of yourself. Congratulations on winning.”

He finally does smile.

And I laugh again.

“Connor, I have to say... you look good when you smile.”

“Shut up, Ember. Let’s get out of here.”

31

CONNOR

I like Ember’s laugh.

I like it a lot.

Of course I noticed her sitting in the bleachers watching me win that woodcutting competition with that stare of hers directed solely at me. I didn’t like taking off my shirt in front of everyone, but I had to - it helped me swing the axe. It wasn’t a vanity thing. And Ember did not take her eyes off me.

Maybe Eric was right. Maybe she does have the hots for me.

Ha. That’ll be weird.

I really enjoyed our fairground walk and talk together, even if she asked way too many questions. Her life seems so interesting – I gotta find out more about her. She’s a lot different from any other girl I’ve met. I like her intelligence and her drive in life. She’s lived a very unusual life.

And, I have to admit, her sunny attitude has made me smile. I can’t help it.

And her laugh.

And being with her actually makes me feel... happy.

God. What have I become?

This is not me.

I drive her back to her motel in my pickup truck and try to repress any nice thoughts about her.

Or the shape of her body.

Or the way she makes me feel.

“You were great today,” she tells me quietly as we zoom down empty streets.

I shake my head and keep my eyes firmly on the road and not on her beautiful face.

Try, Connor. Try to ignore her.

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